Old Ship Church
Office: 14 Main Street

Hingham, MA 02043

tel: 781.749.1679

email: office@oldshipchurch.org
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 Who We Are

4Welcome to First Parish in Hingham, Unitarian Universalist, known as Old Ship Church.

We are a liberal Unitarian Universalist community of about 250 members of all ages. We worship in an historic Meeting House and we hold religious education classes and gather after services in our office at 14 Main Street, down the street. Our contract minister, Rev. Carie Johnsen, joined us on Aug. 1, 2024.
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Our Meeting House, a National Historic Landmark, has stood on Hingham’s Main Street since 1681. It is the only remaining 17th-century Puritan meeting house in the U.S.

Our community encourages personal spiritual growth through worship, engagement and service to others. 
We do not require adherence to a specific creed. We affirm the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Principles and Sources, and we support each individual's unique search for truth and meaning. We are proud that our community is both a "Welcoming Congregation" and a "Green Sanctuary," both official designations from the Unitarian Universalist Association. We cherish diversity of religious backgrounds, racial and cultural identities or backgrounds, ethnicities, national origins, ages, ranges of ability, sexual orientations, gender expressions, financial means, educations, and political perspectives. We welcome all to share in congregational life.

What are Unitarian Universalists?

Watch this fun video explanation, created by the Unitarian Universalist Association!  click here.
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How you can help others  

​Hingham Food Pantry:

We are again collecting non-perishable, unopened, and unexpired food for the Hingham Food Pantry.

Donations may be made at:
  • Sunday morning worship - there is a basket in the vestibule of the Meeting House for donations. Please leave your donations in the bins located in the vestibule of the Meeting House and at 14 Main Street.
  • Hingham Stop and Shop (Rt 3A, Lincoln Plaza) - large bin at the front of the store
  • Hingham Food Pantry (Mondays, July 1, 15 and 29, August 12 and 26, September 9 and 23, October 7 and 21, November 11 and 25, and December 16  from 2:30-4 p.m. and Wednesdays, July 17 and 31, August 14 and 28, September 11 and 25, October 9 and 23, November 13, December 4 and 18 from 12:30-2 p.m.​​) - place your donations in the carts in the parking lot and please do not leave food at any other time
  • Checks to support the food pantry also are appreciated (for every $1 donated, the food pantry can purchase about $3 of food from the Greater Boston Food Bank).  If you are interested in donating, please send a check to: Hingham Food Pantry 685 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043

The most needed items at this time:
Although all donations are appreciated, the food pantry reports that the following items are most needed at this time: 
  • Crackers
  • Cookies
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Cracker Sandwiches

Spread the word: Should anyone need help, please call the Hingham Food Pantry at 781-740-8180.  

​For additional information, visit 
the Hingham Food Pantry on Facebook.
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Welcome  

We are very pleased to welcome you to Old Ship. We want you to feel comfortable among us. For a glimpse into our congregation, please watch this introduction to Old Ship Church, a video put together by our former ministerial intern, Dave Egan. Enjoy!

In ordinary times pre-covid, September through mid June, our worship service, held in the Meeting House at 90 Main St., begins promptly at 10:30 am and lasts about an hour. You can park along Main Street on either side of the street. The Meeting House is handicapped-accessible. A few handicapped-accessible spaces are located at the top of the circular drive in front of the Meeting House. 

Parents with infants and toddlers are invited to join our Sunday worship services. We have 2 reserved pews set up with carpet, rocking chair, toys, etc. Feel free to use these, or to sit wherever you'd like in our Meeting House. There is easy stroller access up the garden ramp entrance, and the restrooms (with changing table) is very close by. We welcome children's voices during the service!


We hold religious education classes,  fellowship hour, meetings, the office, etc. is at 14 Main Street and the entrance on the left side.

Click here for more information about what to expect on Sunday morning.

Upcoming Worship Services

​​We meet Sundays at 10:30 AM
All services will be held in person and on Zoom 
The Zoom link will be our usual Sunday worship link:  https://zoom.us/j/94971146149?pwd=WUZWbVpyWUNjcDNPc3dUdXQwalNuUT09


​All are welcome!
Click here to join Sunday worship.​


To view past services, please visit our
​YouTube channel.
Services start at 10:30 a.m. and will be in person in the Meeting house as well as on Zoom. 
      
Sunday, Nov. 3          Rev. Carie Johnsen
                               Liminal Spaces
Sunday, Nov. 10         Rev. Carie Johnsen
                               For Love of Humanity and                                   Country
Sunday, Nov. 17        Christopher Nickelson-Mann                                   Diane Elliott 
                               
Meaningful Hymn Sing 
Sunday, Nov. 24         Rev. Carie Johnsen
                               
Grieving and Gratitude   
Wednesday, Nov. 27   Hingham Hull Religious
                               Leaders Association
                               
Thanksgiving Service
                                 
7:00 pm
                           


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April is annual pledge campaign month at Old Ship. Our theme this year is Together, Step by Step. This is a hopeful and dynamic time, as we work together to envision our new community space, contract with a new minister, take steps to rebuild the RE program, and strengthen connections with one another. While we may have many challenges before us, we are on the right and necessary path to create a bright and vibrant future for the congregation. The pledge campaign will run through April 28th, featuring themed coffee hours at 14 Main Street, and culminating in a community luncheon on April 28th after church.  To make a donation to Old Ship’s annual campaign, please return the pledge card you receive in the mail or make your pledge at ONLINE PLEDGE CARD .  If you have questions about making a pledge or about the campaign, in general, please contact either Janet Asnes, Mary Markel Murphy or Susannah Thomas (Stewardship Campaign Committee) via office@oldshipchurch.org.

Living our Values​​

DONATE
To contribute to a fund, please click the Donate button and use the drop down to choose the fund.
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November Special Plate/Outreach Collection: Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore —  Given the increase in the need to provide shelter for families without homes throughout the Commonwealth and on the South Shore, we have selected the Friends as our special plate recipient for the month of November. Donations can be made online through the Old Ship website. Click the donate button and then designate your donation for the Outreach Offering: Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore. The special plate collection during a Sunday service will be announced in a weekly email.  ​​


​Tours of the Old Ship Meeting House​
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We love to give tours and will be happy to arrange one for you. Please call the office or email to request a tour. We need a week notice in order to find a volunteer tour guide. 


Events

Calendar
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Life Learning at Old Ship – 2024-2025

In harmony with Unitarian Universalist principles and sources of inspiration, learning ­opportunities at Old Ship serve our community by encouraging spiritual growth and the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
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Gatherings will be in person or on Zoom, and some will be "multi-platform" — in-person with a Zoom option. Older youth may find many of these programs of interest and are encouraged and welcome to join. Watch the newsletter and website for changes. Contact information for course leaders is at the end.


​Old Ship Church Meeting House: 90 Main Street / Office: 14 Main Street / Hingham, MA 02043 / 781-749-1679
  Office hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm: Summer Office Hours (July & August) Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 12 PM
We are always available by email at office@oldshipchurch.org.

Please note: the office is located at 14 Main Street which is a separate building from the Old Ship Church.